Lecture 2: Political Culture of India

What is the desired characteristic of a political culture in a diverse country like India?

Who published an article in 1963 that discussed Indian political culture?

What did Myron Weiner avoid in his description of Indian political culture?

What is the characteristic of the 'mass political culture' according to Weiner?

What is the origin of the inhabitants of the 'mass political culture' according to Weiner?

What is the title of Rudolph's book that is mentioned in the text?

What was the primary concern of the developmentalist elites in India?

What did Weiner observe about the elite political culture in India?

What did Weiner predict would happen if the gap between elite and mass cultures was not bridged?

What is the term used by Morris-Jones to describe the three idioms in Indian political culture?

What is the term used by Sudipta Kaviraj to describe the two cultures existing in the political arena?

What is the common thread that runs through the works of Weiner, Morris-Jones, and other scholars?

Political Culture of India

India's diversity requires a political culture rooted in constitutional values, truth, respect, civility, and restraint.

Myron Weiner's Contribution

In 1963, Weiner published an article on Indian political culture, highlighting the urban-rural divide.
Weiner identified two 'political cultures': mass political culture and elite political culture.
Mass political culture is permeated with traditional elements but is not wholly traditional, representing the lower rungs of Indian society.
Elite political culture is associated with modernity and a developmental outlook, but also retains traditional components.

Expansion and Conflict

Weiner observed that both cultures are expanding in opposite directions, foreseeing an eventual clash.
The elite culture radiates from New Delhi, while the mass culture expands from localities to state legislative assemblies and governments.

General Patterns and Shared Attitudes

Despite conflicting elements, there are shared attitudes and behavioral patterns that distinguish Indians from others.

Morris-Jones' Trichotomy

Morris-Jones formulated a similar concept, identifying modern, traditional, and saintly idioms in Indian political culture.
These idioms interact, illuminating general and particular aspects of Indian political life.

Other Scholarly Contributions

Redford and Singer discussed 'Great tradition' and 'Little tradition', while Rudolph highlighted a gap between traditional and modern cultures.
Sudipta Kaviraj used Foucauldian terms, such as 'upper discourse' and 'lower discourse', to describe the coexistence of two cultures in the political arena.

This quiz explores the concept of political culture in India, its origin and growth, and the significance of constitutional values and respectful discourse in a diverse society.